Recreation Photo

Lewis Wickes Hine was born on September 26, 1874, in the state of Wisconsin. He studied Sociology at the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and New York University. He created the photo of the Powerhouse Mechanic in 1925. Hine was known for his images of the working people. His photos show cased human efforts in history. For example he was asked to document the building of the Empire State building.

         In the image of the powerhouse mechanic Hine shows a broad range of light and contrast. The play of light on the piping leads the viewer’s eyes around the photo. The action pose creates a feeling of power and strength to the observer.

         The intensity of this photo truly provides the perfect image of a workingman. As much as I like the feel of the image the outfit and muscle flexing of the individual feels cliché. Though the image rings clear of it’s theme it also provides the viewer little to interpret.

In my recreation I kept the idea of manliness and power portrayed in the original. I played with the light source and the angle of the camera to create a new view of a common object. Though the image is one of my first pictures taken from my new camera, I was pleased with the result.